Ornamental carton



Nov. 16, 1965 J. w. CLARKE 3,217,968

ORNAMENTAL CARTON Filed July 31, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1 i i i I l i l i 11, =12, imimi 15x jzaimi zo,iz1,

H? l i I i INVENTOR. 2 ($72 mama ATTOQNEY NOV. 16, 1965 J w, L K 3,217,968

ORNAMENTAL CARTON Filed July 51, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTOQNEY Nov. 16, 1965 J. w. CLARKE 3,217,953

ORNAMENTAL CARTON Filed July 51, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Join filame BY ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,217,968 ORNAMENTAL CARTON John W. Clarke, Indianapolis, Ind, assignor to Creative Packaging, Incorporated, Indianapolis, llnd., a corporation of Indiana Filed July 31, 1963, Ser. No. 298,948 1 Claim. (Cl. 229-22) This invention relates to a paperboard carton and in particular, to a one-piece paperboard blank which may be formed into a double walled carton having unique exterior walls.

In the marketing of various retail items, it is often desirable to package the items in ornamental paperboard cartons. It is essential that the carton be formed in an inexpensive manner and from a blank which may be readily assembled. The carton of this invention is formed from an integral blank which may be assembled to provide a double walled unit. The exterior side walls of the carton are formed from two panels connected together at an outwardly disposed angle. The inner walls of the carton are flat and, thereby, provide conventional surfaces for easily packaging the items to be marketed.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide a new and improved carton formed from an integral blank of foldable material.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved carton having a unique corner construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved carton having double side walls.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved double walled carton having ornamental exterior walls.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank of foldable material used for forming a rectangular double walled carton of this invention and which also has an integral cover;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank of foldable material adapted for forming a rectangular double walled tray or carton having no integral cover;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the corner assembly of the carton;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a carton of this invention having a cover formed from the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank of foldable material used for forming a triangular double walled carton of this invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 1, a rectangular carton may be formed from the illustrated integral blank which is made of a foldable material such as a standard weight of flexible paperboard. The blank includes 11 successive panels numbered 11, 12, 13, 14, l5, 16, 1'7, 18, 19, 20, 21, connected together by score lines. Connected to opposite ends of panel 15 are panels 22, 23, and 24 and panels 25, 26, and 27. The assembled carton as illustrated in FIG. 4 is double walled on all of its surfaces and is quite sturdy. Thus, the bottom of the carton has an outer rectangular panel 15 and an inner wall which in the particular embodiment consists of two panels 11 and 21. The exterior side walls are formed from pairs of quadrilateral panels 13 and 14, and 26, 16 and 17, and 22 and 23 which are shown as isosceles trapezoidal panels. Although all of the trapezoidal panels in the carton of FIG. 4 have substantially the same height dimension [1, they may also be of different dimensions. The panels ice of each pair are connected together along a congruent edge, in this instance along the trapezoidal base lines, at an outwardly disposed oblique angle, thereby providing an ornamental configuration. The angles of each trapezoidal panel will depend on the desired angle.

The inner walls of the cartons sides are formed from rectangular panels 12, 27, 20, and 24. The oppositely disposed trapezoidal panels 22 and 25, which form a portion of two opposed outer side walls, each have a tab 31 integrally connected to each of their respective ends. For convenience in assembly the four tabs may be of a triangular design with their angles determined by the angles desired for the outer side walls. It is to be noted that each tab 31 has one side 32 which is separated from its adjacent panel. Oppositely disposed trapezoidal panels 13 and 17 each bear a locking flap 33 at each of their respective ends. Each of these four locking flaps 33 comprises two portions 34 and 35 connected together by a crease line. Each portion preferably has a dimension [1 substantially equal to the height h of a trapezoidal panel for reasons to be explained later.

In assembling the blank of FIG. 1 into the carton of FIG. 4, the various crease lines may first be flexed. Panels 11 and 21 are then connected together and folded against the outer bottom wall 15. In the particular illustration panels 11 and 21 are connected together by interweaving an extension 38 on panel 11 with the recess in panel 21. During the formation of the double walled bottom there will be a tendency for the cover and two opposed walls to automatically form. Thus, panels 18 and 19 will be folded together. Panels 12 and 20 will assume spaced juxtaposed positions with respect to panels 13, 14 and 16 and 17, as well as being perpendicular to the bottom. Panels 22, 23 and 25, 26 form the other two opposed outer side walls and are similarly creased along their lines of junction at an outwardly disposed oblique angle. The carton is now ready for assembly of its four corners.

Referring to FIG. 3, tabs 31 are inserted between their respective adjacent inner and outer side walls. As each tab is being inserted between its adjacent side walls, the adjacent locking flap 33 is moved over the tab. It is to be noted that panels 34 and 35 of each flap are preferably folded to form an angle corresponding to the angle of the two trapezoidal panels forming an outer side wall. Panel 27 may then be folded over fiap 33 to assume a spaced juxtaposed position with panels 25 and 26. In such a manner flap 33 is held between the inner and outer walls of its adjacent side. Inner wall panel 27 is maintained in its position by its close fit with panels 12 and 20. It may also be engaged with the inner bottom formed by panels 11 and 21. Upon completing the corner assembly, tab 31 lies contiguous to its adjacent lower trapezoidal panel 14. Locking flap 33 is positioned so that its panels 34 and 35 are contiguous to adjacent trapezoidal panels 26 and 25 respectively. By {providing the two portions 34 and 35 of each flap with a dimension it there is maximum surface contact between each flap and its associated outer wall panels 26 and 25. Consequently, the corner construction is rigid. However, if desired, dimensions less than it can also be used for the flap portions.

Panels 18 and 19 which form the cover for the carton may be cemented together along the areas 40 shown on the blank of FIG. 1. Cover latch tabs 42 are pressed from panel 19 for insertion through slots 43 between panels 12 and 13 in order to securely close the carton.

It is to be noted that the carton of this invention with its unique outer walls, made possible by the novel corner construction, has all of its exposed surfaces formed from the same surface of the blank. The significance of this feature is that the blank may be decorated with the desired design on just one surface with the assurance that all exposed surfaces of the carton will bear this design. Substantial savings are gained by eliminating the need of decorating both surfaces of the blank.

The modified blank illustrated in FIG. 2 has a similar corner construction which varies from the blank of FIG. 1 only by its omission of a cover and slots 43. Consequently, the various corresponding elements of this blank bear the same reference numbers. The blank is useful for forming a tray or a carton with a removable sleeve or insert cover, Assembly of the blank shown in FIG. 2 to form the tray of FIG. 5 is similar to that described for the assembly of the blank shown in FIG. 1. It is to be understood that other modifications of this invention are possible without departing from the spirit of this invention. Thus, it is not essential that the carton have a bottom comprised of two walls. Specifically, the panels 11 and 21 of the blanks in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be omitted. Panels 11 and 21 could also be joined by other means or even consist of only one larger panel connected to panel 12 or 19.

It should be pointed out that the quadrilateral panels forming the outer side walls need not be trapezoids nor of like configuration or dimensions. However, each pair of panels forming an outer wall must have a congruent side which serves as the integral connection for the two panels. If each panel is designed with four non-parallel edges, it is apparent that their associated inner wall will preferably be a non-rectangular quadrilateral. Trapezium panels of this type will cooperate to form a carton having tapered or streamlined sides as Well as angled outer walls. If trapeziums are used in preference to trapezoids, the resulting locking flaps, while still contiguous to the outer walls, will not extend across the full height of each associated outer wall panel.

Although the two previously described and illustrated embodiments of this invention both relate to cartons having four sides, it should be understood that the corner construction of this invention is equally applicable to other types of cartons. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 a triangular carton is illustrated which utilizes a corner construction substantially identical to the previously described corner constructions. Thus, identical reference numbers are used for the various elements of the corner construction. The blank shown in FIG. 6 has double walls and a double bottom. The bottom comprises an outer triangular panel 51 and an inner bottom formed from panels 52 and 53. The three inner sides are formed from substantially rectangular panels 55, 56, and 57. Each of the outer walls is formed from a pair of integrally connected panels 59 and 60, 61 and 62, 63 and 64. It is to be noted that whereas inner walls 56 and 57 are substantially identical, inner wall 55, for reasons to be explained later, differs by the provision of two crease lines 66 across its two lower corners.

In assembling the triangular blank, the various crease lines are first bent. Panels 52 and 53 are then folded flush to panel 51. An adhesive material may be applied to maintain them in this position. The corner construction between inner walls 56 and 57 is then assembled in a manner similar to the corner constructions of the rectangular cartons. Thus, tab 31 is disposed between inner wall 57 and the outer wall panel 62. Prior to complete the insertion of tab 31, locking flap 33 is positioned over tab 31 and between its adjacent double wall comprising panel 56 and outer panels 59 and 60. In such a manner, the two portions 34 and 35 of flap 33 are in a contiguous relationship with panels 59 and 60 respectively. The two remaining corner constructions may be assembled by inserting the locking flaps and tabs between their adjacent inner and outer side walls. To complete the assembly, inner panel 55 is placed in a perpendicular position to bottom panels 52 and 53. In order to so position panel 55, it is apparent that the corners transversed by crease lines 66 will need to be momentarily deflected. Thus, the folding lines are provided to assist in the positioning of panel 55.

Similar to the rectangular cartons, it is apparent that this triangular carton may be constructed from quadrilateral panels with outer walls of varying configurations and dimensions. Thus, the side wall panels may be of trapezium configuration, Once again, the outer side wall panels should have a congruent edge. If desired a simple removable insert cover may be used with the carton.

While only three embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that additional modifications may be made within the spirit of this invention and the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A triangular carton formed from an integral blank of foldable material comprising a double walled triangular bottom, first, second and third sides, each side having an outer wall formed from first and second quadrilateral panels positioned at an outwardly disposed angle and a juxtaposed inner wall, said sides being joined to each other in a triangular pattern by three corner assemblies, each of said assemblies comprising a tab connected to an end of a first quadrilateral panel and disposed between the inner and outer walls of an adjacent side and a locking flap connected to an end of the second panel of said adjacent side outer wall, said flap being positioned over said respective tab and between said tabs inner and outer walls.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 196,358 10/1877 Heath. 2,770,410 11/1956 Williamson 22934 2,893,620 7/1959 Williamson 229-34 2,983,428 5/1961 Bess 22934 FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner, 

